John Kilduff is something of a jack-of-all-trades, or a jack-of-a-lot-of-trades, anyway. But not only does he do it all, he does it all at the same time. Kilduff takes multitasking to a new level with his Los Angeles based local access program, "Let’s Paint TV." On most half-hour episodes, Kilduff will paint a still life, take calls from LA locals and cook food, all while running on a treadmill. Not surprisingly, he found time to answers some questions for Frank151.
FRANK151: What’s the history behind Let’s Paint TV?
JOHN KILDUFF: I did video as an under grad at Otis/parsons school of art and design in the 80’s but my main focus was painting. I graduated and I began the life of the tormented artist– painting and living the life of a monk. But this got old and I soon realized I needed something else…and that was public access TV! My first show (1995) was called “the Jim Berry show”, In this show I tried to do skits and stand up and I even took some acting classes and even a class at the improv giant the Groundlings. I realized I needed both worlds…the introvert and the extravert. Anyway, I hate to say that 9-11 had anything to do with it but around that time I was getting tired of trying to do SNL skits and on a whim thought let’s do an educational how to paint show…and the rest is history. The inclusion of the treadmill and cooking were added only in the last 2 years.
F151: It’s obvious that a lot of work goes into the production of each show. Between screening calls and creating psychedelic graphics, who ties Let’s Paint TV together behind the scenes?
JK: Well, believe it or not, there are no screeners for the calls, that’s why I get all those crazy calls. The guys behind the scenes are the public access team at the Time-Warner-Eagle Rock Studios (los Angeles), David, Dave, Gus, Johnny, and Raymond (did I forget anyone?). Anyway, these guys know me and my show, so that it’s very telepathic. I don’t even give them a rundown of the show. I give them a lot of freedom to experiment.
F151: In our original blog posting about your show, we commented that at times Let’s Paint TV can be a platform for voicing gang rivalries and making prank calls. Does this ever bother you?
JK: Years ago, I would take it very personal and cuss them back and get angry myself. I realized that I was only making these people more angry and also potentially putting myself at risk of being attacked. I feel more comfortable being polite and moving on and maybe offering peaceful advice.
F151: You talk a lot about redemption, forgiveness and second chances. You also seem to be an incredibly patient man. What gives?
JK: Well, you’re right …what gives? It is a front in some ways …if you ask my girlfriend, she might say otherwise (hopefully not). But she knows me pretty well. Overall, I do try to forgive and I do try to be patient…what do they say. …Practice makes perfect?
F151: What’s on the horizon for Let’s Paint TV? Are you working on any other projects?
JK: You know, I am just making these shows and putting them up on Youtube for now but I have had multiple inquires about providing content for both the Internet and TV shows. I am looking into making my own video studio and bypassing Time-Warner public access so I would own the production as well as the copyrights of the show. I am also performing the show live at venues across the country and getting my MFA in Art at UCLA.
F151: John Kilduff, thank you so much for taking time out of painting, exercising and anything else you may have been doing to speak with Frank151.
is Altoids’ latest line of mints, featuring their traditional peppermint/cinnamon/ginger tabs coated in a layer of dark chocolate. Frank knows what you’re thinking: some things in this world just don’t go together.
